MADISON, Wis.-Alison Carr worked for Point West Credit Union in Portland, Ore., U.S.A., when she was nominated for World Council of Credit Unions' WOCCU Young Credit Union People (WYCUP) Scholarship Program in 2006. Being named a winner at first was a surprise to Carr, but no more so than the benefits she realized from receiving one of WOCCU's top honors.

"I wasn't listening when my name was first called, but the resulting experience has dramatically changed my life," said Carr, who now serves as director of learning events for CUNA & Affiliates' Center for Professional Development. "Winning the award was highly emotional for me, and the advantages I've gained in career development have been enormously beneficial."

The WYCUP Program, open to credit union professionals age 35 and under, is still accepting nominations for the 2009 program. Recipients will be recognized at WOCCU's World Credit Union Conference, July 26-29, in Barcelona, Spain. Nominations will be accepted through Monday, June 15, from credit unions and credit union groups affiliated with WOCCU member organizations. (See www.woccu.org/members for a list of WOCCU members.)

WOCCU is committed to ensuring the future sustainability of the international credit union system by recognizing and promoting its next generation of leaders. The WYCUP Program is open to individuals who have already made significant contributions to the development of their own credit unions, regional or national credit union systems and have demonstrated the potential to employ their unique talents at the international level.

"The WYCUP honor has provided confirmation of my beliefs in the cooperative movement and increased my commitment to my job and to the credit union system," said 2008 winner Rachel Milan, director of marketing and community investment for Teachers Credit Union, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. "I have become more confident in my work, which fuels my desire to help our credit union grow during these difficult times."

To be eligible for the scholarship, nominees must: 1) be sponsored by their credit union or credit union organization to attend WOCCU's 2009 World Credit Union Conference in Barcelona in July (www.woccu.org/Barcelona09); 2) be 35 years of age or younger on January 1, 2009; and 3) submit a completed nomination form with all necessary supporting materials to WOCCU no later than June 15.

"Winning on the actual day was such a huge buzz," said 2008 winner Nicholas May, IT operational manager at Community CPS Australia Ltd. in Adelaide. "I feel a new confidence within myself, have built a new network with credit union professionals from other countries, and I'm forging a real bond with credit unions in my own country."

WOCCU will award the WYCUP scholarship, which consists of an all-expense-paid trip to the 2010 World Credit Union Conference, to five recipients at the 2009 conference in Barcelona. All WYCUP nominees, regardless of award status, will be formally recognized in Barcelona and invited to take part in events organized specifically for participants age 35 and under, including a special networking session. Conference registrants in this age group also qualify for a discounted registration fee regardless of whether or not they compete for the scholarship.

"If you're passionate about the contribution you make to the credit union movement, you'll find WYCUP a wonderful experience," Carr said. "You quickly realize we're all unified in the challenges we face. I really appreciate WOCCU's commitment to continue making this opportunity possible."

For more information on the WYCUP Scholarship program and to download a nomination form, visit the WOCCU Website at www.woccu.org/wycup.

World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

World Council has implemented more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 57,000 credit unions in 103 countries serve 208 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.

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Contact: Rebecca CarpenterOrganization: World Council of Credit UnionsE-mail: rcarpenter@woccu.orgPhone: +1-608-395-2031